Strauss, R.: Salome

Description

Charles Mackerras's recordings are well-established collectors' items.His consistently brilliant reviews confirm that his music-making belieshis years, and his new opera recordings have become benchmarks for theChandos Opera in English series.Chandos's disc of the month sees Sir Charles pick up his baton toconduct leading dramatic soprano, Susan Bullock and the PhilharmoniaOrchestra in his first ever recording of Richard Strauss's 'Salome'.This is also the premiere recording in English and follows the Grammywin for 'Hansel and Gretel' earlier this year.Richard Strauss is a composer for whom Sir Charles holds in deepaffection. He explains \I'm just amazed that he could have written it[Salome]. Every page has something that hadn't been done before, noteven by Wagner. Bitonality, whole tone scales, everything! Endlesslyvarying the leitmotifs so that they take on different meaning...remarkable, and such a lesson in the use of the orchestra... it's justsuperb... even if you have not heard a note of Strauss before you willbe swept along by the power of the music.Susan Bullock has previously performed Salome in the concert format andher performances in the role of Strauss's 'Elektra' have brought herinternational acclaim. MusicWeb International wrote of her Salome "wewere treated to a show-stealing dramatic performance in which hercharacter's complicated and confused emotions were plainly visible."She performs the role of Elektra at the Royal Opera House, CoventGarden in November.Also available:   Hanseland Gretel     Cosifan tutte       MagicFlute          Jenufa ""